Critical Spirit vs. Critical Discernment (Mat 7:1-6)

Transcription

1 Critical Spirit vs. Critical Discernment (Mat 7:1-6) Sayings about criticism... A boy loves his dog because it is the only thing around the house that doesn t find fault with him. Ever notice how often a narrow mind and a wide mouth go together? Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one. If criticizing gives you pain, then do it; if it gives you the slightest pleasure, keep your mouth shut. 1 Judging others is a very common sin. Give someone a sentence that has a few grammatical or spelling mistakes and ask him what does he see? He will usually tell you the mistakes he spots; instead of telling you the grammar and spelling that are right. Mistakes stand out and people seem to focus on them. Theme It is, on the one hand, a warning against one extreme: critical spirit. On the other hand, it is a warning against another extreme: non-critical discernment. Disciples should be well balanced between the two. Jesus used two sarcastic images to illustrate this lesson. Structure A. No to Critical Spirit (1-5) 不要論斷別人 --- You, do not judge your brothers! Why? Because It is unwise/unavoidable/dangerous (for i.e. cause and result) 沒智慧 --- You will also be judged: you will be guilty as well (1b) a. In the same way (2a) b. With the same measurement (2b) 2. It is unreasonable/inappropriate (why) 不合理 --- You judge the wrong person: focus the wrong person (3) 3. It is undoable/difficult/unfair/impractical (how) 沒資格 --- You disqualify yourself to judge/correct others: you are not judging fairly (4) 4. It is untruthful/ hypocritical/ inexcusable/ inconsistent (who) 不誠實 --- You have the priority wrong: you should take care of the plank in your eye before you can see clearly (5) B. Yes to Critical Discernment 却要判斷事非 --- Be discerning (6) 1. Don t be judgmental does not mean don t think! 2. Don t be judgmental does not mean don t pay attention to the situation, who you are dealing with, and what results you are going to get! 3. Don t be judgmental does not mean don t use good judgment and common sense! 4. Don t be judgmental does not mean don t make discernment according to the Word of God! 1 Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 294). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc. 1

2 I] No to critical spirit 不要論斷別人 (1-5) A) The command: Do not judge your brothers (1a) Avoid having judgmental spirit Do not judge does mean to avoid critical spirit, but it does not mean not to exercise sound judgment Do not judge refers to the passing of harsh, adverse verdicts on the conduct of our fellows; it does not forbid the use of our best critical thinking (which may be done in a spirit of tolerance and helpfulness and which Jesus elsewhere commands as a help to others, 18:15; for that matter how can we avoid casting pearls before pigs [v. 6] without a process of discrimination?). Don t judge does not mean don t think The verb is used not only generally of passing a verdict, but specifically of passing an adverse verdict, condemning, and it is this that Jesus is forbidding. 2 Judgmental is a common sin in human s heart rooted in self-righteous mentality and pride. This attitude is easy to form and hard to avoid. But this is to be avoided in disciples lives. B) The Reasons (v.1b-5) Jesus is using a humorous illustration to explain His point... Disciples should not too quick and too harsh to judge those who should not be judged. 1. Why? Because it is unwise/unavoidable/dangerous (for i.e. cause and result): You too will be judged (v.1b-2) 1. The shocking illustration: Sawdust vs. a plank In the same way (how) With the same measure (with what) How a person judging others will affect how the person be judged in the future. It answers some questions on why a person faces certain adverse situations. It may be related to how the person treated others. You judge others, other will judge you. God is the One Who finally makes those judgments (Ps 75:7; 2 Tim 4:8; Jas 4:12). 2. Why? Because it is unreasonable/inappropriate (why) (v.3) No, there is no reason The focus should shift from others to self [ 看別人不順眼 ] You thought the other person has committed a big enough mistake, it is not. Wait till you take a good look on yourself. 3. Why? Because it is undoable/difficult /unfair/impractical (how) (v.4) The commonality: all have sinned, there deem to be something not quite right in everybody. You think you can remove the other person s speck, you cannot. Wait till you remove yours. (4) it becomes apparent that such an offer of help is completely ridiculous. 3 2 Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew ( ). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; 3 Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (167). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; 2

3 4. Why? Because it is untruthful/ hypocritical/ inexcusable (who) (v.5) Hypocrites: Persons with gross inconsistency! The offense: from sawdust to the plank (with a plank in the eyes, no one can see clearly). The vision is greatly impaired because of the plank. The mistake/ hypocrisy: considering oneself to be superior. And it is far from the reality. Jesus did not say that the sawdust does not matter. It does. It needs to be removed. But the priority is to deal with the plank first! C) The Damages 1. Distinguish the fire of the church (especially young Christians) to serve God. Damaging a healthy selfimage of a growing child. [A new pianist trying out during Sunday worship] 2. Distance one another break the bond of the fellowship in church, and loving relationship at home. 3. Invite retaliation and promote retaliation atmosphere among colleagues at work 4. Set the bad example for the church and the family to follow. 5. Distort the message of the Cross: forgiveness, mercy and grace, love and truth. 6. Discourage healthy communication. 7. Bring judgment to ourselves D) Understand why people Judge 1. Being legalistic rather than being gracious: they run by law, not grace 2. Being prideful rather being humble: being self-righteous 3. Being perfectionist rather than being realistic a. Lack of satisfaction, b. live under tremendous stress and c. accusation of self and others 4. Being self-centered rather than being respectful to others 5. Being self-righteous rather than relying on the righteousness of God s judgment 6. Being quick to make decisions based on superficial evidence rather than thoroughly knowing all the facts. (Cf. Jn 7:24) II] Do have a Critical thinking 却要判斷事非 (v.6) A) The Command: Do not Dogs and pigs: They both were unclean and always hungry for food. The main candidates for what is holy have been the gospel message, the Sermon on the Mount, Israel, sacrificial flesh for the temple (possibly disqualified for temple use by blemish, etc.), and the Eucharist. The main candidates for dogs (beyond the occasional attempt to take the word literally) have been Gentiles, the Romans, unbelievers, heretics, and Christians not living up to their profession. 4 4 Nolland, J. (2005). The Gospel of Matthew: A commentary on the Greek text (322). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press. 3

4 3. Give what is sacred to dogs, pearls to pigs: It could refer to the giving of the Gospel and the rejection of it... for the followers of Jesus there is nothing more holy than the gospel. This message is to be offered to all (cf. 28:18 20), but there is a limit to the time that is to be given to its obstinate rejecters 5. See Appendix #1 for further discussion. B) Consequence of disobedience: If you do... The undesirable results: trample them under their feet and tear you to pieces. They cannot appreciate them. Religion is brought into contempt, and its professors insulted, when it is forced upon those who cannot value it and will not have it. But while the indiscriminately zealous have need of this caution, let us be on our guard against too readily setting our neighbors down as dogs and swine, and excusing ourselves from endeavoring to do them good on this poor plea. 6 See Appendix #2 The treasure be trampled and bring harm to yourself. C) The Point: How does it fit the context? What is the point? 1. The action: May be it is emphasizing the action of refraining from giving judgment as ones should refrain from giving dogs and pigs sacred thing and pearl. 2. The person: May be it is emphasizing person making the unwise and inappropriate choice: feeding them with sacred things and pearls to dogs and pigs. Discerning what is appropriate to do --- Valuable and holy (pearl and sacred food), unclean (dogs and pigs), unappreciated (trampled and tear you to pieces). The person doing such things does not have any common sense, not to mention having the ability of critical thinking. 3. The consequence: May be it is emphasizing the consequence to the giver. The giver will consequentially get hurt. 4. a statement to counter-balance do not judge (not judging can be taken too far!); an extension and generalization of vv. 1 5 making the point that stupid acts (such as judging others) bring God s judgment on oneself; a sarcastic restatement of vv. 3 5 ( your pearls of helpful criticism are not going to be appreciated ) Disciples are not to be judgmental, but that does not mean that they are to lack discernment. Compare 1 Cor 2:15; 14:29; Phi 1:10; 3:17,18; 1 Jn 4:1,6 6. The Conclusion: o Do not be critical to others. It will only backfire and causes judgment on yourself. o Always be critically discerning on what is the appropriate thing to do in any situation. Become a discerning disciple. Do not go to another extreme by not making any discernment about anything or any person. Always use sound judgment to discern. 5 Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (168). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; 6 Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., Fausset, A. R., Brown, D., & Brown, D. (1997). A commentary, critical and explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments (Mt 7:6). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. 7 Nolland, J. (2005). The Gospel of Matthew : A commentary on the Greek text (322). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press. 8 Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (168). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; 4

5 III] Applications 1. Know the difference -- between critical discernment and critical spirit. 2. Avoid critical spirit -- Ready to find fault, focus on what has not been accomplished, censoriousness, harshness, unjust, unloving, unforgivness, pride, holier than thou attitude, negativity spirit. a. Pay extra attention to guard yourself against judgmental spirit, if you are: perfectionist, very detail orientated person, and a professional or an experienced person of the subject. b. Beware of the Boomerang effects: what standard you use to judge people will come back to judge you. The way you judge your superior will be used to judge you by your subordinates. The way you judge your children will be used to judge you by the Father. The way you judge your brothers will be used to judge you by your brothers. 3. Promote encouraging attitude -- focus on accomplishment, ready to praise, supportive, loving, gentle, humble, forgiving, and positive and constructive spirit. 4. Be on guard and seek Biblical discernment -- o Make discernment that base on solid thorough understanding of the fact (Jn 7:24). o Know your Bible well and make discernment according to it o Make discernment with Christ example: loving, humble and forgiving (Mat 18:33). o Make discernment without a judgmental/ critical/ harsh/ negative spirit (Jn 8:7) o Let the Lord be the ultimate Judge of all. o Be on guard against all the unholy practices and unbiblical teaching and teacher (Phi 3:17,18; 1 Jn 4:1,6). 5. If we desire to point out other s sin -- do it according to the procedure in the Bible with gentleness, truthfulness, constructive helpful motive, and intention to reconcile (Mat 18:15-17). Once we have dealt with our own sins, we are then in a position gently and lovingly to confront and try to restore others who have erred If you were the one who is being judged -- examine yourself and avoid to over react (2 Cor 13:7). Discussions 1. Where does a critical spirit come from? 2. Share how judgmental spirit can damage to... a. our church, family, work, and personal relationship with the Lord 3. Are we too harsh in judging people around us? Are we the ones having plank in our eyes and trying to fix those having sawdust in their eyes? 4. How can we promote critical thinking and damper critical spirit? 5. When we are wronged, how should we approach the other party? (See Mat 18:15-17) 6. When we see brothers are sinning, how should we response? (See Gal 6:1) 7. What atmosphere do you want to have in your workplace, family, and church? From where/ who should it start? 9 Blomberg, C. (2001). Vol. 22: Matthew (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (128). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 5

6 Appendix #1 It seems to me that we have in 7:6 a fresh image for the challenge to make God our exclusive priority. In 6:19 20 the imagery was that of storing up treasure, in v. 24 it was that of having an exclusive master, but in 7:6 it is that of dispersing our resources (what we do with the holy and the valuable that we have available to us). In particular the rejected option is a use of our resources that is not focussed on God. An image of spending now takes the place of an image of hoarding (6:19 20) or an image of serving a master (v. 24) to make much the same point. There is the same assumption of a rejected middle ground as earlier. What is not directed towards God is seen to be as inappropriately dispersed as sacrificial flesh given to dogs or valuable pearls offered as pig feed. The pigs do not value the proffered pearls, and the dogs, stimulated by the taste and smell of raw meat, attack the giver in the hope of gaining more. The outcome here is probably the counterpart to the damage by moth and corrosion and the loss to thieves found earlier. If this understanding is along the right lines, then, while dogs and pigs are certainly negative images, they do not sharply correspond to anything in particular: when it comes to where we should expend our resources, compared to God everything and everyone else is a dog or a pig (neither fitting recipients of our dispersal nor able to appreciate what we can give). The imagery is harsh and clearly not to be taken outside the very specific frame within which it is designed to function. Jesus is once again commending a radically theocentric vision of life. 10 #2 Cf. Davies and Allison: The gospel of the kingdom in 13:45-6 the kingdom is a pearl was to be preached to all; but its heralds were also instructed to shake the dust off their feet when they were not received into a house or town (10:14). We must bear in mind that some hear the gospel only to rebel. Disciples are not called on to keep offering it to those who continue to reject it with vicious contempt. Jesus taught all sorts of people generously, but before Herod he refused to say a word (Luke 23:9). Paul preached to the Jews in Corinth for a time, but in face of persistent rejection and hostility he turned away (Acts 18:5 7; cf. 1 Cor. 2:14 15; Tit. 3:10 11) Nolland, J. (2005). The Gospel of Matthew : A commentary on the Greek text ( ). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press. 11 Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (168). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; 6